27-year-old Washington Nationals' right-handed pitching prospect Josh Wilkie was suspended for 50 games according to several reports this afternoon:

Syracuse placed GW alum Josh Wilkie and Josh Johnson on the restricted list. Hearing there may be more to it. Working to confirm details.

— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) June 2, 2012

I have confirmed that pitcher Josh Wilkie has been suspended for 50 games. #Nats

— William Ladson (@washingnats) June 2, 2012

"'I'm very disappointed and embarrassed,'" the 6'2'', 190lb right-hander told MASNSports.com's Byron Kerr this morning in an article entitled, "Wilkie "disappointed and embarrassed" by suspension", explaining, "'It is my responsibility to check and re-check whatever it is I put into my body and in this case I failed to do the proper research before using a product..."

MASN's Mr. Kerr reports in the article that the suspension is the result of a spice in flavored tobacco that is legal, "... but not permissible according to Major League Baseball's banned substance guidelines." In seven seasons in the Nationals' system, Wilkie is a combined (20-26), with a 3.03 ERA, 122 walks (2.84 BB/9) and 344 K's (8.01 K/9) in 280 games and 386.2 IP. In 18 games and 17.0 IP at Triple-A Syracuse this season, Wilkie has a 4.76 ERA, 3.96 FIP, five walks (2.65 BB/9) and 14 K's (7.41 K/9).